Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-06
what He Said in His SPccch-asreat
Crowds at the Reception.


given In the STAR, was as follows;
ut was soon after the election OF 1854 that an
Old resident OF your city was earnestly urging me
| TO pay you visit. He endeavorcd 10 meet all OBJ
jectionS that were started and Insisted with un-
yielding pertinacity that the invitation should be
accepted At last, and after all persuasion
seemed TO fail, he yenemently broke out with this
declaration: The people up where l live don't
think man Is Mt for President who has never
seen Chicago
II have often thought OF this incident since that
| time, and sometimes when have felt that was
all that might be done, or all that would ike TO
| do. have wondered whether things would not
have gone on better II had visited Chicago:
Indeed Ii has. believe been publicly stated
| on one or more occasions lately when
the shortcomings OF the present chief Exc
cutive were under discussion. that nothing
| better could be expected OF a man who had never
been west of some designated place or river: and
this, suppose, means the same that my Chicago
! friend meant, and involves the same accusation
and conclusion. Ii my alleged Official crimes and
misdemeanors are thus charitably accounted for,
l shall not complain; While | confess that the
declaration OF the representative OF this
city, as have given It, is an evidence of that local
! pride and loyalty OF which your great city is
striking monument. All have heard OF il, II they
have not seen IT, for every OF your people seems
TO have organized himself committee OF one 10
| spread its glorieS abroad.
"And now that / am here feel like saying with
the queen OF SheDa, THE half was not told me-
My amazement is greatly Increased when recall
a little recent history. In 1888 the town OF
| Chicago was Incorporated: upon the question OF
incorporation thirteen votes We're cast, one
| OF which was in the negative. We do not know
the reason which actuated this citizen In his ad-
verse vote; but If he were here to-day believe he
would be heartily ashamed OF IT. Five days after
its Incorporation as town Chicago held Its first
election for town officers, and we are told that
the total vote on that occasion was ~.
We look In vain for any trace OF booilerS IN
those days though we are told that the first build
| ing constructed after the establishment OF the
town was log jail
| "Your population in 1877 when Chicago was I'm
corporated city. was 1000. The number OF Its
inhabitants in 1871 was three hundred thousand
millions. It's immense growth and volume Of
modern cities. Al this time II was visited
parallel in extent and destruction, which
and apparently ended its Career. In oet"Ser
Of that year fire occurred, which
2loo acres, killed 200 persons, consumed
1000 buildings; made homeless 10000
Pe1pe t nnd DESTROYED pr9gety of the
| followed an exhibition OF enterprise and BRAY
cry as unparalleled as the disaster which called
In lamentation and not for moment did
they lose faith In the sure destiny OF
enced Business and its ashss ney
| build. sixteen years have passed and there has
arisen here city many more pepulous and
more prosperous than you lost in 1871. Who have
greater right TO be proud and satisfied than the
| citizens OF Chicago?
"You have said that the President ought to see
Chicago. l am here TO see IL, and its hospitable
city is 50 great and your interests so Ia-se and
to tf'' suggest sii; that ~ have left It
home a city you ought to see AMI
know more about In point of fact. it would te
We'll Tor you TO Keep Your eyes closely upon IL all
/ the time. Your servants and agents are there.
"lhey are there TO protect your interests and aid
your efforts to advance your prosperity and WELL
|
ceaseleSS activity OF hand and brain Will not yield
the results you deserve unless wisdom guides the
| policy OF your government and unless Your needs
are regarded at the capital Of the nation. II will
be well for you not 10 forget that In the perform
| ance OF your political duties with a thoughtful
ness and broad patriotism there lies not only a
safeguard against business disaster, but an impor-
tant obligation OF citizenship"
1t was I'D o'clock when the last OF the long pro-
ceSsion passed the President, and The crowd began
to disperse. There was such jam that the Pres-
| dent could not leave the platform for some time.
| THE PRESIDENTS PUBLIC RECEPTION.
An immense crowd gathered at the Palmer
House in the afternoon At the Presidents public
| reception. AS Mr.. Cleveland and wife descended
| the staircase the crowd made rush for Them and
| the rope barriers which had been erected were
swept away In vain cid the police, clubs In hand
attempt to stem the rush. II was we'll that nook
| OF safety had been provided for Mrs Cleveland.
Immediately to the right or the staircase was an
alcOve hidden In silken bunting and waving green
| plants. Into this she was hastily thrust, while
the President, giving single sweeping glance at
| the surg;ng crowd plunged into ITS midst and
sturdily shouldered himself into the place 1t had
| been decided he should stand. Three times did
| reS OF brawny diSmounted cavalrymen seize the
ends OF one Of the ropes that had been dashed TO
! the floor and strive 10 drag back the multitude
Only with the aid OF double Gordon OF pollce-the
front line backing against the crowd and the
Ond rank pushing their bue-cOated comrades for
ward-did the lasoo maneuver OF the soldiers
bring Idint sembance OF Oruer.
| The President meanwhile was shaking hands
right and left Till he was red in the face and his
collar lay limp above his black Prince Albert coat
IN rlphf
the entrance to the alcoye couple OF steps above
the crowd, was Mrs. Cleveland, laughing merily
| good naturally at the crowd. She was surrounded
by bevy OF staid matrons richly dressed, but in
| all dark colOrS.
| A TROPHY FOR MRS. CLEVELAND
When the first appearance OF a line had be-
| gun TO be formed OF the people at the head came
detachment OF Union Veterans, bearing aloft the
tattered, bullet-rven battle flag or the nth Kan
| sas volunteers. striking scene ensued. While
the President warmly greeted the old soldiers one
after another the color bearer stepped forward TO
MIS-. Cleveland and gently lowering the old flag
babe her clip off one OF its precious shreds as a
! memento OF the day. The vile OF the President
| gracefully complied, and while the spectators
| went Wild with enthusiasm, displayed her trophy
proudly to the ladies at her side. President
Cleveland shook hands with redoubled vigor and
an actual count at this juncture showed his gait
TO be Torty-Seyen hand-ShakeS per minute. A low
| estimate or the number who marched past him is
5000 persons. But they were the fortunate lew.
Thousands In the corridors and thousands upon
thousands III the streets failed even to catch
Sgnt OF MS lace. The rOtunda and nails OF the
hotel like the outside thoroughfareS for blocks
around had been taken complete possession OF 10y
the gigantic OutpOurlng OF people an hour before
the reception began, and restraint OF any kind
seemed impossible. During the crush as many as
fifty women had to be borne from the throng into
the stores near by fainting from exhaustion.
THE RECEPTION IN THE EVENING.
simplicity and lack OF oStentation were the dis
tinguishlng characteristicsof the reception TO the
President and Mrs Cleveland ia the ,ening at the
Columbia Theater. Ten thousand tickets had
been issued, each admitting man and his COM
damned with curious spectators. No one had
been admitted inside before the advent OF the Pres
1dentlal party and people who came In carriages,
as well as those who came otherwise were obliged
to wait. Within was scene OF rare loveliness. |
Barring liberal display OF the stars and stripes
The decorations were wholly composed OF natural |
flowers and foliage, and the effect was strikingly
rch but subdued. Roses predOminated, not less
than 10000 having been utilized. A floor had /
been laid throughout the house level with the |
stage. simultaneously with the President and |
under a massive chandelier In the center OF the /
stage, the line OF people, two abreast, adj
Terry and wife. The orchestra In the |
balcony broke into melody: The group Of
ladies accompanying MIS-. Cleveland clustered /
about her with their escorts, and /
under the soft light shed over all she, with her /
husband greeted couple after couple with pleas
ant word and smile and q hearty shake or the /
hand. Not over three-nfths OF the gentlemen |
wore the regulation claw-hammer, the coat OF the
remainder being generally a Prince Albert. The /
President himself was In full dress. Mrs. Cleve- /
land looked Oueenly I'm a tOOSe.ittinC Simnly. L